June Elinor Petersen
June Petersen was born at Randwick, New South Wales in 1938. She lives at Tyagarah, near Byron Bay.
June is recognised as a fine endurance rider and all round horsewoman. She has competed in seven international events and has won numerous Australian rides.
In 1977, June placed second in the Australian Quality Endurance Ride, in a time of 9 hours 30 minutes - breaking the old record. The following year, she won! In 1979 June accepted the challenge of international competition, and on a leased horse, was placed in the top 10 in a two-day, 160 kilometre ride in France. In 1990, she won a Bronze Medal at the World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, riding Abbeline Lionel.
Soon afterwards, June broke her leg, but rode in the 160 kilometre USA Championships with steel pins holding her knee together. She then travelled to France and competed in the European Championships.
Determination and courage have always been major attributes of June’s character. As a young mother with four children, June was diagnosed with tuberculosis and hospitalised for a year. She refused to accept that she would never again lead an active life. “ I have learnt that nothing can stand against the will to succeed,” June said.
At ‘sixty something’, June continues to compete in endurance rides, and in 1997 won a division of the Longreach to Winton Endurance Ride. Her plans include the World Equestrian Games and she looks forward to riding her grey Anglo Arabian gelding Lentara Park Jobe, across the Arabian Desert.
“I am so lucky in having my horses, my family, and the friends I have made in Australia and worldwide through endurance riding,” said June.